Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a flavorful and hearty pasta dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked with a spicy, buttery sauce infused with garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs, tossed with perfectly al dente linguine and finished with Parmesan cheese. This dish combines a rich, zesty cowboy butter sauce with simple but vibrant ingredients for a satisfying main course perfect for a family dinner or casual get-together.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Herbs and Cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken strips with paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated for a well-seasoned flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the cowboy butter sauce: In the same skillet, add the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring until the sauce is fragrant and well combined.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained linguine and toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Add herbs and cheese: Stir in the fresh parsley, chives, thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese until the herbs are distributed and the cheese slightly melts into the warm pasta.
- Serve: Plate warm and garnish with additional fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine immediately.
Notes
- For a creamier sauce, add 1/2 cup heavy cream when combining the butter sauce ingredients.
- You can substitute linguine with fettuccine or spaghetti depending on your preference.
- This dish pairs deliciously with garlic bread and a fresh side salad for a complete meal.
